woman of Hertfordshire, illuminated by prophetical visions, desired
admittance into the military council, and communicated to the officers a
revelation, which assured them that their measures were consecrated from
above, and ratified by a heavenly sanction. This intelligence gave them
great comfort, and much confirmed them in their present resolutions.[*]

* Whitlocke, p. 360.

Colonel Harrison, the son of a butcher, and the most furious enthusiast
in the army, was sent with a strong party to conduct the king to London.
At Windsor, Hamilton, who was there detained a prisoner, was admitted
into the king's presence: and falling on his knees, passionately
exclaimed, "My dear master!"---"I have indeed been so to you," replied
Charles, embracing him. No further intercourse was allowed between them,
The king was instantly hurried away. Hamilton long followed him with
his eyes all suffused in tears, and prognosticated, that in this short
salutation, he had given the last adieu to his sovereign and his friend.

Charles himself was assured that the period of his life was now
approaching; but notwithstanding all the preparations which were making,
and the intelligence which he received, he could not even yet believe
that his enemies really meant to conclude their violences by a public
trial and execution. A private assassination he every moment looked for;
and though Harrison assured him that his apprehensions were entirely
groundless, it was by that catastrophe, so frequent with dethroned
princes, that he expected to terminate his life. In appearance, as well
as in reality, the king was now dethroned. All the exterior symbols of
sovereignty were withdrawn, and his attendants had orders to serve him
without ceremony. At first, he was shocked with instances of rudeness
and familiarity, to which he had been so little accustomed. "Nothing
so contemptible as a despised prince!" was the reflection which they
suggested to him. But he soon reconciled his mind to this, as he had
done to his other calamities.

All the circumstances of the trial were now adjusted, and the high
court of justice fully constituted. It consisted of one hundred and
thirty-three persons, as named by the commons; but there scarcely ever
sat above seventy: so difficult was it, notwithstanding the blindness of
prejudice and the allurements of interest, to engage men of any name or
character in that criminal measure. Cromwell, Ireton, Harrison, and the
chief